Cigarette package opener and closure



Feb, 3, 1948. J. MALDONADO CIGARETTE PACKAGE OPENER AND CLOSURE Filed Jan. 26, 1945 lllll Patented Feb. 3, 1948 CIGARETTE PACKAGE OPENER AND CLOSURE Joseph Maldonado, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application January 26, 1945, Serial No. 574,689 3 Claims. (01. zoo-41.5)

My invention relates to a cigarette package opener and closure, and has for its principal ob ject, to provide a simple, practical and efflcient cap like member, adapted to be readily positioned on the end of a cigarette package, said cap carrying a, blade which, when the cap is applied to the package, cuts a portion of the end of the package wrapper from the body thereof, in order to render the cigarettes readily accessible and said cap also being provided with a sliding plate or cover which normally closes the opening cut in the end of the package.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the combined opener and closure in open position ready to be applied to a, package.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the cap in closed position.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section similar to Fig. 3 and showing the cap on a cigarette package.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the upper portion of a, cigarette package with the combined opener and closure in position thereupon.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the upper portion of a cigarette package and showing my improved opener and closure thereupon.

Fig. 7 is a cross section taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a cross section taken on the line 8-8 of Fi 2.

Fig. 9 is a cross section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a cross section taken on the line lU-lll of Fig. 2.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the sliding frame which carries the cutting blade.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary longitudinal section showing the means for limiting the outward movement of the sliding cutter carrying frame.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, In designates a plate of thin material such as metal or plastics, from one end of which depends a narrow wall I I and walls I! depend from the sides of said plate.

These walls l2 extend short distance beyond the end of plate l0, opposite from end wall I I and the lower edges of said walls l2 are turned 2 inwardly and upwardly to form llQlT-OW flanges i 3, in the top of one of which is formed a shoulder i4. Extending inwardly and downwardly from the upper edges of those portions of walls I?! which project beyond the end of plate ii! are longitudinal flanges l5.

The blade carrying frame which slides on side walls l2, comprises a pair of parallel straps l6, connected at one end by a cross strap H, with the strap l6 arranged to slide lengthwise on the inner faces of walls 12 and retained in operative positions by the flanges l3 and I5.

A stop lug l8, projects inwardly from one of the straps l6 and engages shoulder Hi, to limit the outward sliding movement of the blade carrying frame.

Secured to the inner faces of straps i5 intermediate thin ends, are the ends of a horizontal plate l9, having sharpened, oppositely inclined cutting edges 20 (see Fig. 11). Struck from the central portion of plate It] is a triangular tongue 2| which projects inwardly away from end wall I l and which tongue is adapted to enter between the end folds of the package wrapper and thus,

to a considerable extent, anchoring the cap on said package (see Fig. 4).

Formed in plate I!) near and parallel with its sides are parallel slots 22 and arranged to slide on top of said plate, is a plate 23 of thin material, such as sheet metal or plastics, which, when moved to its limit of travel awayfrom plate l0, closes the space between the projecting ends of the side walls l2.

Closure plate 23 is held for sliding movement on plate 10, by lips or flanges 24, which depends from the sides of said plate adjacent one end and which pass through slots 22.

In order to enable closure plate 23 to be engaged when slid from one position to another, the top surface of said plate, or a portion thereof. may be ribbed or corrugated as designated by 24.

To apply the cap to a cigarette package and out an opening therein, the blade carrying frame is withdrawn as far as possible outwardly upon walls l2 and plate II) is now placed on top of the package and then moved inwardly thereupon, so as to engage tongue 2| between the folds of the wrapper on the end of the package, after which the blade carrying frame is slid inwardly between walls l2 so that the blade cuts through the end and side walls of the wrapper just below the top thereof.

That portion P, of the package top out from the top may be left on as a flap cover, or it may be torn off, thus providing an opening through which the cigarette may be readily withdrawn.

Plate 23 provides a closure for the opening cut by the blade and by pressure of the thumb or finger, may be readily shifted from one position to the other. e

The cap mounted on oneend of the package, provides a reinforcement for said package and counteracts tendency of sam to' collapse when the greater portion of the cigarettes have been withdrawn therefrom.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided cigarette package opener and closure which is I the folded ends of the package to which said simple in structure, inexpensive of manufacture and very effective in performing the functions for which it is intended.

It will be understood that minor changes in the. 7

size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved cigarette package openerand clo from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1'. A cigarette package opener and closure comprising a pair of telescopically associated members adapted when closed to provide a cap for cigarette package, one of which members has a pair of channel shaped side members and a top plate, which side members extend beyond the in.- ner end of said top plate to form an opening at one end of said top plate, a member arranged for sliding movement on said top plate and adapted to close the opening therein, the other telescopic 2. A cigarette package opener and closure as set forth in claim 1 with a tongue pressed downwardly from. said top plate for engaging between opener and closure is applied. cigarette opener and closure as set forth in claim- 1,, with co-operating means on one of said channel shaped side members and the side strap'sliding therein for limiting the extensible movement of said telescopic members.

' E M LD NA Q" REFERENCES oirnn The following references are of record in the 1,919,099 Elliott July 18', I933 

